Improvement in digging-machines



. 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. COAST. Digging Machine.

No. 201,499. Patented Mai-ch 19, 1878.

N.PETERS,FHOTO-LITHOGRAPNiR, WASHINGTON. D C. v

PATENT OFFICE;

.ios'nrn COAST, or HAMMONTON, Nnw'JEns Y;

IMPROVEMENT m DIGGING-MHACHINES- Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 201,499, dated March 19, 1878 application filed January 26, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH COAST, of Hammonton, in the county of Atlantic and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Digging-Machines and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 ofthe drawings is a representation of a vertical section of my digging-machine. Fig. 2 is a plan View with top removed. Fig. 3 is a side view, and Fig. 4 is a plan view, of the same.

My invention consists in the construction. and arrangement of a machine for digging z vellls, &c., as will be hereinafter more fully set ort The annexed drawings, to which reference is made, fully illustrate my invention.

A represents a tableor platform, supported from the ground by legs or standards B B. On top of this table, and pivoted between two posts, or in one forked post, a, is a lever, 0, having at the inner or front end a yoke, E, permanently secured to it. In this yoke E is hung a pair of peculiarly-shaped jaws or pinchers, D D. These jaws are pivoted together, as shown, and their upper ends curved slightly outward and passed upward through the yoke E. To the lever G are also hung two bars, F F, to the lower ends of which is secured a second yoke, G, and through this yoke works a second pair or set of jaws, pinchers, or clamps, H H, having across their lower edges crossbars I I, which are of such length as to pass entirely across the base of the machine.

Through suitable slots in the table or plat form A are passed two rods or bars, K K, which extend downward, and are secured to a cutting-box, L. Within this box are hinged two winged cutting-scrapers, M M, having and spring-catches O O at their lugs N N sides or ends, asshown. P I" are ropes or chains, for operating the cutting-scrapers M R R are spring-catches on top of the platengage in notches x as on the standards K,

and thus hold the cutting-box in an elevated position. The pin b, which connects the hangers F to the leverO, is then removed and the lever dropped, allowing the cutting-scrapers M M to fall to the sides of the cutting-box L, where they are held by means of springcatches d d in the sides of said box. The

spring-catches It R are then let off, allowing the cutting-box L and cutting-scrapers M M to fall, their combined weight and sharp edges forcing them some distance into the soil. The rope P is then put into the pinchers D, the slack being first taken up. The lever O is then hauled down, causing the cutting-scrapers M M to come together at their edges, scraping and cutting a quantity of earth in so doing, and forming a bottom to hold and elevate the earth. The hangers or lifters F F are then connected to the lever O by the pin 1), and the entire box L and scrapers M M lifted high enough to allow a chute to be passed under the same. 1

In hauling up the scrapers M M the springcatches O 0 have been made to pass through slots in the cover of the cutting-box L, and, catching thereon, allow the rope P to be removed from the pinchers D. When ready to discharge the load the catches O O are pushed apart, allowing the scrapers M M to fall, dropping its load into the chute underneath. The operation is then repeated.

When the hole has been dug deep enough, the bars or standards K K are lengthened to suit.

The cutting-box is sometimes provided with a series of guides, to be placed at the corners,

which extend from the table or platform to the grade-line, and are more particularly for use when the machine is first put into operation.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isv 1. The cutting-box L, with standards K K, and the hinged scrapers M M arranged within the same, with catches O O, in combination with a device for lifting the same, and allowing them to fall of their own gravity, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The lever O, hangers F F, yoke G. jaws H H, and clamps I I, in combination with the cutting-box L and its standards K, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The lever O, yoke E, pieces D D, and ropes or chains P P, in combination with the hinged scrapers M M, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH COAST. Witnesses:

EDWARD J. MOOREA, EDWARD C. RYER'. 

